The Metropolitan Police is all set to launch a line of branded clothing and souvenirs to raise money to pay for more police on the streets.
However, brand experts feel the collection is likely to be most popular among tourists and foreign buyers.
The licensing deal, which will run until May 2021, has been signed with brand licensing company ThePoint.1888, after a tender process by Transport for London (TFL).
The range is set to include clothing, toys and games, stationery, homeware, and souvenirs.
Products will be based on the use of the police logo, the New Scotland Yard sign, the MPS font and colour palette and imagery of officers on patrol.
A representative of the Met said: “The annual amount raised through licensing is hoped to be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Metropolitan Police Service.”
The branding company has the MPS and Scotland Yard listed as clients on its website, along with Team GB and Battersea Cats and Dogs Home among others. It will be establishing licensing agreements with selected retailers, all agreed with the MPS and Scotland Yard.
Simon Wilson, director of commercial services at the MPS, said: “As a team, we feel there is a huge global opportunity to develop marketing leading consumer products to support our vision.”
Currently, a small selection of Met Police merchandise including a “Bobby Bear”, New Scotland Yard pen and a wooden toy police car is up for sale on the Transport for London website.
